Maryland Child Trafficking Conference

TRANSFORMING TOGETHER: COLLABORATIVE STRATEGIES FOR STATEWIDE GROWTH

June 5, 2025

Towson University, West Village Commons
4th Floor Lobby; Ballrooms A, B &C; and WVC 304, 305 & 306

As we navigate a rapidly evolving landscape, the power of collaboration stands out as a vital force for statewide growth and sustainability. Transforming Together: Collaborative Strategies for Statewide Growth invites leaders, practitioners, and stakeholders from diverse sectors to explore dynamic partnerships that foster sustainable development and equitable progress across our communities.

This conference will focus on:

• Innovative Cross-Sector Collaboration: Fostering connections across sectors to create a unified approach to address complex issues, leveraging each other’s strengths and resources to drive systemic change
• Empowering Survivor Voices: Highlighting the importance of involving survivor leaders in decision-making processes to ensure that growth initiatives are inclusive and responsive to survivor needs.
• Policy and Advocacy: Discussing the role of policy in promoting sustainable practices. Participants will share insights on effective advocacy strategies influencing legislation and driving systemic change.
• Technology Innovation: Explore the latest tools, techniques, and collaborations, showcasing how modern approaches are making a difference in preventing and addressing child trafficking.
• Sustainable Futures: Addressing the critical need for growth strategies that prioritize inclusivity and equity, ensuring that progress benefits all members of our communities.

Join us as we foster a space for dialogue, learning, and connection, empowering participants to transform challenges into opportunities through collaborative strategies that propel our communities forward.

Nadine Finigan-Carr, PhD, Executive Director of the University of Maryland, Baltimore's Center for Violence Prevention

Bethany Young, Director of Policy and Legislation at the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy

LaShanta Harris, Assistant United States Attorney and Human Trafficking Coordinator with the Office of the United States Attorney District of Maryland

Title: Building Sustainable Solutions Through Collaboration

Speaker: Hollie Nadel

In an era where child trafficking remains a persistent challenge, sustainable progress requires a united, cross-sector approach. As a Survivor Leader and Advocate, I have witnessed firsthand both the gaps in our systems and the powerful impact of true collaboration. Today, I will explore how innovative partnerships through a multidisciplinary approach can drive meaningful change. With my specific lived experience, professional expertise, and creative problem solving capabilities, I've worked with law enforcement, legal professionals, social services, financial professionals, technology and AI firms, educators, and members of congress to encourage a holistic approach to bridge gaps between different sectors and find a common ground to combat human trafficking. Together we can create plans for prevention, influence critical policy, and shape how systems interact with and support victims and survivors.

Lunch will be in the West Commons Dining Hall. Your lunch options are to pre-purchase your dining hall tickets or bring your lunch.

You have until May 20th at 8:00 pm to purchase your West Village Commons Dining Hall Lunch ticket. CLICK HERE if you have not purchased your ticket. 

Title: Risks, Trajectories, and Treatment in the Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Male Youth

Speaker: Nathan Earl, Principal Consultant for giantslayer. | Co-Director, Men's Haven Health

This plenary session will provide a comprehensive examination of the commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking of male youth. The session will incorporate a case study on drug-facilitated sex trafficking, alongside findings from a scoping review on risks and potential outcomes for boys and young men subjected to commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking. Attendees will gain insights into the unique risk factors, pathways into exploitation, and specific vulnerabilities affecting male youth, as well as the critical services and interventions needed to support them. The presenter will provide actionable steps and recommendations for attendees to take what they learn and put into practice.

Campus Parking Information

Conference attendees park for free, but you must park at the West Village Garage and complete your parking registration ahead of time. An email will be sent to all registrants in Mid-May with more parking registration information. Please use the building address of 424 Emerson Drive to navigate towards the West Village Garage. Enter the West Village Garage via the turn-off of Towsontown Blvd. This will take you to the correct garage entrance. Once parked in the West Village Garage, exit the garage and cross over the road, following the brick path straight up through the West Village Quad (equivalent of about 2 blocks). The West Village Commons will be on your right.

CEU Information

The Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (MNADV) is providing 5.25 hours of Social Work CEUs at the cost of $50. Social Work CEUs are free for MNADV members and staff at MNADV member organizations. Please be advised that to receive CEUs, you must stay for the full conference, no partial hours will be given. MNADV will be onsite at the conference to answer questions.                
Instructions for CEUs

• Upon arriving to the conference, go to the CEU table and sign in via QR code before the first session begins.
• Attend entire conference, no partial CEUs will be given.
• After the last session ends, go to the CEU table and sign out via QR code.
• Pay for CEUs: After completing the sign-out form, you will be directed to MNADV’s payment page where you can purchase CEUs. CEUs are free for MNADV members and staff at member programs.
• CEUs will be sent via email within two weeks of the conference.
• For CEU questions, please contact Meredith Varsanyi, Technical Assistance and Training Specialist at MNADV, mvarsanyi@mnadv.org